I share child development tips, tools, and strategies using my background as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the school system. Topics include gross motor, fine motor, visual motor, pre-writing and handwriting, and sensory processing activities for parents, educators, and other therapists.
[Friday Freebie] Hand Strength Activities for PK & KG
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Hello Reader, I've been working with some of my Kindergarten teachers on classroom interventions over the past couple of weeks. The consistent theme that keeps coming up is pencil grasp and using scissors appropriately, including grasp and positioning. So, over the next few weeks, I'm going to share the handouts that I've been creating for you to use too. Many of the issues stem from having a weak grasp or no consistent grasp of writing and scissor tools for preschool and Kindergarten children. I shared this handout with one of my teachers this week to give her ideas for the classroom. I also shared the PK version with a parent who had concerns about their student in our preschool classroom. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW **password below Password: Freebies26 🗣️ What are you seeing and hearing in the classroom this year? Let me know so I can create more handouts and resources to help you share with your teachers and parents. 💻 Tech Summit 2026Technology is changing pediatric practice quickly. The difficult part isn’t simply keeping up with what’s new. It’s knowing which developments could genuinely help a child communicate, participate, learn, or become more independent and how to use them with a clear clinical purpose. That’s why I wanted to share the Tech Summit 2026, a free virtual event for pediatric OTPs, PTs, and SLPs. From October 19–21, 14 expert presenters will explore practical applications of:
✅ Reserve your free ticket here There are two ways to join: Free Ticket: Watch the summit online during the free showing, October 19–21. VIP Ticket: Get lifetime access, 10 accredited CEUs/contact hours, a private podcast feed, a practical workbook, and bonus time from every speaker. I thought this would be valuable for anyone who wants to feel more informed and less overwhelmed by the technology entering pediatric practice. Have a great weekend and enjoy fall break if you have one! ~ Heather G. Growing Hands-On Kids This email contains affiliate/referral links for products I personally recommend. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You’re receiving this email because you signed up for a Growing Hands-On Kids free download. You can unsubscribe anytime using the link below. Disclaimer: I’m a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and all information shared is for educational purposes only. It should not replace medical advice or an individualized evaluation from your physician or pediatrician. Always consult a professional with concerns about your child’s development. Activities should be used with adult supervision. For full details, please see my website’s policy page. |
Hi! I'm Heather | Growing Hands-On Kids
I share child development tips, tools, and strategies using my background as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the school system. Topics include gross motor, fine motor, visual motor, pre-writing and handwriting, and sensory processing activities for parents, educators, and other therapists.
Hello Reader, Looking for an easy activity that's fun and helps build fine motor skills? This Easy Caterpillar Playdough Tray is quick to set up and gives kids plenty of opportunities to roll, pinch, squeeze, create, and imagine all through play. It's perfect for home, the classroom, or therapy sessions. 🐛 Grab the supplies and see how easy it is to set up:👉 [Read the blog post here] In other exciting news, I'm heading back to the classroom this fall! I begin my new school-based occupational...
Hello Reader, Wow, I feel like it has been ages since I've typed out an email to you all, let alone written a new blog post. But there has been a good reason for that. I am back to working in the clinic part-time now! While not working with kids yet, I am working in a skilled nursing facility until I can find something kid-related. I needed to get back to working in person again, and it has been a whirlwind for sure. But a good change that my mental health desperately needed. So if things are...
Hello Reader, Have you been searching for heavy work activities that actually work in a classroom or school environment? You’re not alone—finding sensory-friendly strategies that fit into a busy day and small spaces can be a challenge. That’s why I’ve created 12 Heavy Work Activities for School, a practical list of ideas designed to give students the proprioceptive input they need without requiring fancy equipment or a lot of room. Here’s what you’ll find: Activities perfect for classrooms,...